U.S. patent number 5,826,598 [Application Number 08/892,850] was granted by the patent office on 1998-10-27 for scented hair accessory.
Invention is credited to Katharine E. Meehan.
United States Patent |
5,826,598 |
Meehan |
October 27, 1998 |
Scented hair accessory
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a scented hair accessory
preferably comprising a substantially tubular housing having a
first and a second terminal end joined together to define an inner
circumferential area. The tubular housing is substantially flexible
and resiliently expandable about the inner circumferential area. A
chamber is located within the tubular housing, into which a
scenting material is located. At least a portion of the tubular
housing is porous, thereby allowing the scent emanating from the
scented material to escape therefrom. Optionally, a pocket is
attached to the tubular housing, and the scenting material is
located therewithin. The pocket is preferably sealably accessible,
thereby allowing a user to remove and/or replace the scenting
material therefrom. An elastic material is preferably located
within the chamber to allow the tubular housing to be resiliently
expandable about the inner circumferential area. Alternatively, the
tubular housing can comprise an elastic material. In another
embodiment of the present invention, an ornamental structure is
located about a portion of the tubular housing. Optionally,
scenting is operatively located on the ornamental structure. The
scented hair accessory can be worn either in the hair, functionally
to secure the hair in a pony tail arrangement or decoratively to
provide a scent thereat, on the wrist, about the neck or at the
ankle in a decorative manner.
Inventors: |
Meehan; Katharine E. (Newtown,
CT) |
Family
ID: |
24110807 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/892,850 |
Filed: |
July 15, 1997 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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529659 |
Sep 18, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/275; 132/273;
2/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C
15/002 (20130101); A45D 8/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45D
8/34 (20060101); A45D 8/00 (20060101); A44C
15/00 (20060101); A45D 008/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;132/212,273,275
;63/1.1,2,3,12,11,13,6,7,8,14.1,14.4 ;D28/39,41 ;2/174 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Mancene; Gene
Assistant Examiner: Philogene; Pedro
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tager; Clifford L.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
08/529,659, filed 18 Sep. 1995, now abandoned.
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A scented hair accessory device comprising:
a substantially tubular housing having a first and a second
terminal end joined together to define an inner circumferential
area, the entire length of the tubular housing consisting
essentially of a substantially uniform cross-sectional diameter,
the tubular housing being substantially flexible and resiliently
expandable about the inner circumferential area; and
scenting material located within the tubular housing, the scenting
material having a scent emanating therefrom, wherein at least a
portion of the tubular housing is porous, thereby allowing the
scent emanating from the scenting material to escape therefrom.
2. The scented hair accessory device of claim 1, said device
further comprising an elastic material located within the tubular
housing to allow the tubular housing to be resiliently expandable
about the inner circumferential area.
3. A scented hair accessory device comprising:
a substantially tubular housing having a first and a second
terminal end joined together to define an inner circumferential
area, the tubular housing being substantially flexible, wherein the
tubular housing is resiliently expandable about the inner
circumferential area and wherein the substantially entire length of
the tubular housing essentially comprises a substantially uniform
cross-sectional diameter;
a pocket operatively attached to a portion of the tubular housing;
and
scenting material located within the pocket, the scenting material
having a scent emanating therefrom, wherein at least a portion of
the pocket is porous, thereby allowing the scent emanating from the
scenting material to escape therefrom.
4. The scented hair accessory device of claim 3, wherein said
pocket is sealably accessible, thereby allowing a user to remove
and/or replace the scenting material.
5. The scented hair accessory device of claim 3, said device
further comprising:
a chamber located within the tubular housing.
6. The scented hair accessory device of claim 5, said device
further comprising:
an elastic material located within the chamber to allow the tubular
housing to be resiliently expandable about the inner
circumferential area.
7. The scented hair accessory device of claim 5, said pocket
comprising an enclosed portion and an open portion, and said
tubular housing further comprising a slit therein, wherein:
at least a section of the enclosed portion of the pocket is located
within the chamber of the tubular housing; and
at least a section of the open portion of the pocket is
accessible.
8. The scented hair accessory device of claim 7, wherein said open
portion of the pocket is sealably accessible, thereby allowing a
user to remove and/or replace the scenting material.
9. A hair accessory device comprising:
a substantially tubular housing consisting essentially of a first
and a second terminal end joined together to define a single inner
circumferential area, the entire length of the tubular housing
having a substantially uniform cross-sectional diameter, the
tubular housing being substantially flexible and resiliently
expandable about the inner circumferential area;
an ornamental body operatively surrounding a portion of the tubular
housing; and
scenting operatively located on the ornamental body.
10. The hair accessory device of claim 9, said hair accessory
further comprising:
a chamber located within the tubular housing; and
scenting material located within the chamber of the tubular
housing, the scenting material having a scent emanating therefrom,
wherein at least a portion of the tubular housing is porous,
thereby allowing the scent emanating from the scenting material to
escape therefrom.
11. The hair accessory device of claim 9, said hair accessory
further comprising:
a pocket operatively attached to a portion of the tubular housing;
and
scenting material located within the pocket, the scenting material
having a scent emanating therefrom, wherein at least a portion of
the pocket is porous, thereby allowing the scent emanating from the
scenting material to escape therefrom.
12. The scented hair accessory device of claim 11, wherein said
pocket is sealably accessible, thereby allowing a user to remove
and/or replace the scenting material.
13. The scented hair accessory device of claim 11, said pocket
comprising a sealed portion and an open portion, and said tubular
housing further comprising a slit therein, wherein:
at least a section of the sealed portion of the pocket is located
within the chamber of the tubular housing; and
at least a section of the open portion of the pocket is
accessible.
14. The scented hair accessory device of claim 13, wherein said
pocket is sealably accessible, thereby allowing a user to remove
and/or replace the scenting material.
15. The hair accessory device of claim 9, said device further
comprising:
a chamber located within the tubular housing; and
an elastic material located within the chamber to allow the tubular
housing to be resiliently expandable about the inner
circumferential area.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention is directed to an accessory. More
particularly, the present invention is directed to a scented
accessory which can be worn either in the hair, functionally to
secure the hair in a pony tail arrangement or decoratively to
provide a scent thereat, on the wrist, about the neck or at the
ankle in a decorative manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a
scented hair accessory preferably comprises a substantially tubular
housing having a first and a second terminal end joined together to
define an inner circumferential area. The tubular housing is
preferably substantially flexible and resiliently expandable about
the inner circumferential area.
A chamber is preferably located within the tubular housing, into
which a scenting material is located. At least a portion of the
tubular housing is preferably porous, thereby allowing the scent
emanating from the scented material to escape therefrom.
An elastic material is preferably located within the chamber to
allow the tubular housing to be resiliently expandable about the
inner circumferential area. Alternatively, the tubular housing can
comprise an elastic material.
Optionally, a pocket is attached to the tubular housing, and the
scenting material is located therewithin. At least a portion of the
pocket is preferably porous, thereby allowing the scent emanating
from the scented material to escape therefrom.
The pocket preferably comprises an enclosed portion and an open
portion, and the tubular housing further comprises a slit therein.
At least a section of the enclosed portion of the pocket is located
within the chamber of the tubular housing, and at least a section
of the open portion of the pocket is attached to the tubular
housing.
The open portion of the pocket is preferably sealably accessible,
thereby allowing a user to remove and/or replace the scenting
material.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an ornamental
structure is located about a portion of the tubular housing.
Optionally, scenting is operatively located on the ornamental
structure.
The scented hair accessory can be worn either in the hair,
functionally to secure the hair in a pony tail arrangement or
decoratively to provide a scent thereat, on the wrist, about the
neck or at the ankle in a decorative manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the scented hair
accessory of the present invention.
FIGS. 2 through 5 depicts a preferred method of making the
preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.
1.
FIG. 6 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the hair
accessory of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of the hair accessory of
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the scented hair
accessory of the present invention is illustrated. Scented hair
accessory 100 preferably comprises substantially tubular housing
102, at least a portion of which comprises a chamber into which
scenting material (not shown) is located.
At least a portion of tubular housing 102 is preferably porous,
thereby allowing the scent emanating from the scented material
located within the tubular housing to escape therefrom. The surface
of the tubular housing can optionally include a pattern thereon for
decorative purposes.
The tubular housing forms inner circumferential area 104, and the
tubular housing is preferably resiliently expandable thereabout. In
this way, the scented hair accessory can be worn in a user's hair
to secure the hair in a pony tail arrangement or as a decorative
accessory to simply provide a scent.
While the present invention illustrated by FIG. 1 is discussed
herein as a "scented hair accessory", it should be understood that
the present invention can be used as a scented accessory in other
ways. For example, the scented hair accessory can be worn on a
user's wrist, about the neck or at the ankle. Additionally, the
present invention can be used to wrap a gift box, thereby
functioning both as a ribbon until the gift box is opened, and as a
scented hair accessory thereafter. Other locations and/or uses will
be obvious to one skilled in the art.
With reference to FIGS. 2 through 5, a preferred method of making
the embodiment of the scented hair accessory illustrated in FIG. 1
is discussed.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the material used to form
tubular housing 102. In the preferred embodiment, material 202 used
to form the tubular housing is a porous fabric, e.g., a 200-thread
count cotton and polyester blend cloth having a pattern at least on
one side thereof. Alternatively, the tubular housing can be formed
from crocheted or knitted material. Other fabric types will be
obvious to those skilled in the art.
When intended for use primarily in the user's hair, the dimensions
of the fabric used to form the tubular housing is preferably twenty
(20) inches in length and five (5) inches in width. Other lengths
and/or widths will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
With reference to FIG. 3, the tubular housing is preferably
constructed by folding material 202 along its longitudinal axis,
and securing the longitudinally terminal ends thereof together, as
shown by reference 302. Material 202 can be secured at reference
302 in any conventional fashion, such as glue, tack-stitch or
continuous stitch. Where glue is employed, it is preferable that
the glue is waterproof, so as not to decompose from the elements or
from washing the scented hair accessory in a washing machine.
Once the longitudinal ends of material 302 are secured, material
202 is preferably inverted, both to hide the seam at reference 302,
as well as to expose any pattern on the material. Alternatively,
the seam at reference 302 may be exposed. The area enclosed within
material 202 shall be referred to as a chamber.
With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, strand of elastic 402 is
preferably inserted into the chamber of tubular housing 102 (FIG.
4), the ends of which are secured together, preferably via knot 502
(FIG. 5). The length of the elastic is preferably shorter than the
length of the elastic, thereby providing a tubular housing which is
resiliently expandable about inner circumferential area 104 (FIG.
1) of the tubular housing. When intended for use primarily in the
user's hair, the length of the elastic strand is preferably ten
(10) inches in length.
Alternatively, material 202 which forms tubular housing 102 can be
elasticized fabric, thereby eliminating the necessity of elastic
402.
As shown in FIG. 5, scenting material 504 is preferably inserted
into the chamber of material 202, and terminal ends 506 and 508 of
the tubular housing are secured, preferably via thread. The
scenting material can either have free movement within the chamber,
or the scenting material can be affixed to a particular location,
either on the elastic strand or on the tubular housing.
Scenting material 504 can have any type of aroma, and can comprise
an absorbent pad having perfume absorbed therein, scented beads, a
sachet of potpourri, or the like. Alternatively, a perfume or other
aroma can be applied directly to the surface of tubular housing
102.
As an option to placing the scenting material within the chamber of
the tubular housing, the tubular housing can comprise a pocket
(FIG. 7) to locate the scenting material therewithin.
With reference to FIG. 7, pocket 702 can be located on the surface
of the tubular housing. Alternatively, slit 704 can be located in
the tubular housing, with pocket 706 being located partially or
fully therewithin.
The pocket (702 and/or 706) can be sealably accessible via a hook
and rug arrangement such as VELCRO.RTM., snap(s), button(s),
zipper, clasp(s) or other conventional arrangement.
There are certain advantages to locating the scenting material in a
user-accessible pocket. For example, the pocket allows a user to
remove the scenting material when laundering the scented hair
accessory. Additionally, the pocket allows the user to change the
type and/or scent of the scenting material.
Turning now to FIG. 6, another preferred embodiment of the hair
accessory of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG.
6, ornamental structure 602 is located about a portion of tubular
housing 102, preferably via placing tubular housing 102 through a
chamber (not shown) which runs through the ornamental structure.
Alternatively, terminal ends 506 and 508 (FIG. 5) of the tubular
housing are affixed to the ornamental structure.
The ornamental structure preferably has a scent located on or
embedded in the ornamental structure, and the scent is preferably
associated with the shape or design thereof. For example, where
ornamental structure 602 takes the shape of an apple, the scent
thereof can be apple. Other ornamental structure shapes and/or
scents, e.g., coconut, banana, lemon, lime, orange, strawberry,
spice or chocolate, will be obvious to those in the art.
Scenting material 504 located within the chamber of tubular housing
102 can alternatively correspond to the pattern located on the
tubular housing or to the scent of the ornamental structure. For
example, spice or cinnamon scenting material can be used with an
apple-shaped ornamental structure. Optionally, multiple scenting
materials may be located within the chamber of the tubular housing
or in the pocket attached thereto. Other scent combinations and/or
design permutations will be obvious to those skilled in the
art.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to those precise embodiments. Various changes or modifications may
be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention.
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